Notification control method and electronic device for the same

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a notification in an electronic device includes detecting notification events, confirming whether the detected notification events exist within a first reference time, when the notification events exist within the first reference time, confirming whether the number of unconfirmed notifications including the notification events exceeds a reference number, and, when the number of unconfirmed notifications exceeds the reference number, outputting the notification events after a second reference time.

PRIORITY

The present application is related to and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119 to an application filed in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice on Jan. 25, 2013 and assigned Serial No. 10-2013-0008408, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method forprocessing an event in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, which have become a necessity of modern people dueto their easiness of carrying, are evolving into multimedia devicesproviding various services such as voice and video calling, informationinput and output functions, and data transmission and reception.

Some application programs included in an electronic device can provide anotification of various events. For example, in the case of missedcalls, the electronic device can provide a notification includingsounds, vibrations, the screen turning on, and a light turning on inorder to provide notification of the missed calls. As another example,when receiving a message, an electronic device may also provide sounds,vibrations, the screen turning on, and lights turning on to indicate thereceived message or to provide notification of the message reception.When a user of the electronic device does not confirm the message, noiseoccurs and unnecessary power is consumed. Accordingly, the electronicdevice requires an improved method of controlling a notification event.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the related art, it is aprimary object to provide an apparatus and method for controlling anotification in an electronic device.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus andmethod for controlling notification events that occur within a referencetime in an electronic device.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus andmethod for stopping outputting of notifications when a reference numberof notification events occur within a reference time in an electronicdevice.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus andmethod for outputting notifications after a second reference time fornotification events that occur more than the reference number within afirst reference time in an electronic device.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method ofcontrolling a notification in an electronic device includes: detectingnotification events; confirming whether the detected notification eventsexist within a first reference time; when the notification events existwithin the first reference time, confirming whether the number ofunconfirmed notifications including the notification events exceeds areference number; and when the number of unconfirmed notificationsexceeds the reference number, outputting the notification events after asecond reference time.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic devicecomprises: at least one processor; at least one memory; and at least oneprogram stored in the at least one memory and configured to be executedby the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processordetects notification events; confirms whether the detected notificationevents exist within a first reference time; when the notification eventsexist within the first reference time, confirms whether the number ofunconfirmed notifications including the notification events exceeds areference number; and outputs the notification events after a secondreference time when the number of unconfirmed notifications exceeds thereference number.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the teem “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block configuration of an electronic deviceaccording to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block configuration of a processoraccording to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates a procedure of outputting notifications after asecond reference time for notification events whose number is areference number or more occurred within a first reference time in anelectronic device according to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3B illustrates a configuration of an electronic device foroutputting notifications after the second reference time for thenotification events whose number is a reference number or more occurredwithin the first reference time in an electronic device according tocertain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a setting procedure of outputting notifications afterthe second reference time for the notification events whose number is areference number or more occurred within the first reference time in anelectronic device according to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a procedure for stopping outputting of notificationevents, when notification events whose number is a reference number ormore occur within the first reference time in an electronic device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a procedure for outputting notifications after thesecond reference time for notification events whose number is areference number or more occurred within the first reference time in anelectronic device according to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a procedure for outputting notification events inconsideration of notification events occurred after the second referencetime, when notification events whose number is a reference number ormore occur within the first reference time in an electronic device; and

FIGS. 8A through 8D illustrate a screen configuration for controlling anotification in an electronic device according to certain embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 8D, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication device.Certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, detailed descriptions of well-known functions orconstructions will be omitted since they would obscure the disclosure inunnecessary detail. Also, the terms used herein are defined according tothe functions of the present disclosure. Thus, the terms may varydepending on user's or operator's intentions or practices. Therefore,the terms used herein must be understood based on the descriptions madeherein.

Herein, a technology for controlling a notification in an electronicdevice is described. An electronic device can include a mobilecommunication terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop, asmart phone, a net book, a television, a mobile internet device (MID),an ultra mobile PC (UMPC), a tablet PC, a navigator, and an MP3 player.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block configuration of an electronic deviceaccording to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronicdevice 100 can include a memory 110, a processor unit 120, an audioprocessing unit 130, an input output controller 140, a touch screen 150,an input unit 160, and a communication unit 170. Here, the memory 110can be included in plural. Each element is described below in detail.

The memory 110 can include a program storing unit 111 for storingprograms for controlling operations of the electronic device 100, and adata storing unit for storing data created during program execution. Theprogram storing unit 111 can include a notification control program 113,a graphical user interface (GUI) program 114, and at least oneapplication program 115. Here, a program stored in the program storingunit 111 can be represented as a set of instructions. The data storingunit 112 can include at least one software element for storing settinginformation for controlling a notification.

The notification control program 113 can include at least one softwareelement for controlling a notification. For example, when a notificationevent occurs through at least one application program, the notificationcontrol program 113 confirms whether the notification event existswithin a first reference time. When the notification event exists withinthe first reference time, the notification control program 113 confirmsthat the number of unconfirmed notifications including the notificationevent exceeds a reference number. When the number of the unconfirmednotifications exceeds the reference number, the notification controlprogram 113 outputs the notification event after the second referencetime. Also, when the number of unconfirmed notifications exceeds thereference number, the notification control program 113 can stopnotifications for notification events whose number is more than thereference number. When the number of unconfirmed notifications does notexceed the reference number, the notification control program 113 canimmediately output notifications for notification events.

The graphical user interface program 114 can include at least onesoftware element for providing the display unit 152 with a graphicaluser interface. For example, the graphical user interface program 114controls the number of unconfirmed notification events on the displayunit 152 by using the notification control program. The applicationprogram 115 can include software elements for at least one applicationprogram installed in the electronic device 100.

The processor unit 120 can include a memory interface 121, at least oneprocessor 122, and a peripheral device interface 123. Here, the memoryinterface 121, the at least one processor 122, and the peripheral deviceinterface 123 included in the processor unit 120 can be implemented asone or more integrated circuits or as respective discrete elements andcircuits.

The memory interface 121 controls access to the memory 110 of anelement, such as the processor 122, or the peripheral interface 123. Forexample, the processor 122 can access to the memory 110 through thememory interface 121 in order to drive the at least one applicationprogram 115. The peripheral device interface 123 controls connection ofinput and output peripheral devices of the electronic device 100 to theprocessor 122 and the memory interface 121.

The processor 122 allows the electronic device 100 to provide variousservices by using at least one software program. At this time, theprocessor 122 executes at least one program stored in the memory 110 toprovide the services according to corresponding program. For example,the processor 122 can be configured, as shown in FIG. 2, by executingthe notification control program 113 to control notification.

The audio processing unit 130 provides an audio interface between a userand the electronic device 100 through the speaker 131 and the microphone132. The input and output controller 140 provides an interface betweeninput and output devices such as the touch screen 150 and the input unit160, and the peripheral device interface 123.

The touch screen 150 is an input and output device for performinginformation input and output, and can include a touch input unit 151 anda display unit 152. The touch input unit 151 provides touch informationdetected through a touch panel to the processor unit 120 through theinput and output controller 140. At this time, the touch input unit 151provides touch information from an electronic pen or a finger to theprocessor unit 120 through the input and output controller 140.

The display unit 152 displays state information of the electronic device100, letters input by a user, moving pictures, still images, and otherinformation. For example, the display unit 152 displays the number ofunconfirmed notification events by using the graphical user interfaceprogram 114. The input unit 160 provides input data created by a user'sselection to the processor unit 120 through the input and outputcontroller 140. For example, the input unit 160 includes only controlbuttons for controlling the electronic device 100. As another example,the input unit 160 can be configured with a keypad for receiving inputdata from a user.

The communication unit 170 can include at least one software element forperforming voice communication and data communication. At this time, thecommunication unit 170 can be divided into a plurality of communicationsub-modules supporting different communication networks. For example,the communication network can include, but is not limited to, a globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM) network, an enhanced data forglobal evolution (EDGE) network, a code-division multiple access (CDMA)network, a wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) network, a long term evolution (LIE)network, an orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA)network, a wireless LAN, a Bluetooth network, and a near fieldcommunication (NFC).

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block configuration of a processoraccording to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 2, the processor 122 can include a notification control processor210, and a graphical user interface processor 220.

The notification control processor 210 controls a notification byexecuting the notification control program 113 stored in the programstoring unit 111. For example, when notification events occur through atleast one application program, the notification control processor 210confirms the notification events exist within a first reference time.When the notification events exist within the first reference time, thenotification control processor 210 confirms that the number ofunconfirmed notifications including the notification events exceeds areference number. When the number of the unconfirmed notificationsexceeds the reference number, the notification control processor 210outputs the notification event after the second reference time. Also,when the number of unconfirmed notifications exceeds the referencenumber, the notification control processor 210 can stop notificationsfor notification events whose number is more than the reference number.When the number of unconfirmed notifications does not exceed thereference number, the notification control processor 210 can immediatelyoutput notifications for notification events.

The graphical user interface processor 220 executes a graphical userinterface program 114 stored in the program storing unit 111 to provideas a user interface on the display unit 152. For example, the graphicaluser interface processor 220 displays the number of unconfirmednotification events provided by the notification control processor 210

In the above-described embodiments, the notification control processor210 of an electronic device executes the notification control program113 to control a notification. In another embodiment, the electronicdevice can include a separate notification control processor includingthe notification control program 113.

FIG. 3A illustrates a procedure for outputting notifications after asecond reference time for notification events whose number is areference number or more occurred within a first reference time in anelectronic device according to certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 3A, in operation 301, the electronicdevice detects notification events. For example, the electronic deviceconfirms that notification events occur for outputting at least one ofsound, vibration, screen turning on, and lamp turning on in at least oneapplication program.

When the notification events are detected, the electronic deviceproceeds to an operation 303 and confirms whether the notificationevents exist within the first reference time. At this time, theelectronic device confirms whether a timer is driven. When it is notdriven, the timer is driven in consideration of at least one of a presettime by a system or a preset time by a user. For example, as shown inFIG. 8A, when “time confirmation range” 811 is set to “within 15 min.”in setting of “combined notification mode” 801, the electronic devicesets the timer driving time to 15 min. At this time, the electronicdevice initializes the number of unconfirmed notifications to “0”. Whenthe timer is being driven, the electronic device can update the numberof unconfirmed notifications by adding “1”.

When the notification events exist within the first reference time, theelectronic device proceeds to an operation 305, and confirms whether thenumber of the unconfirmed notifications including the notificationevents exceeds a reference number. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A,when “the number of receptions” 813 is set to “more than 5 cases” in thesetting of the “combined notification mode” 801, the electronic deviceconfirms, as shown in FIG. 8B, whether the number of unconfirmednotifications including notification events for “missed calls” is 5 ormore.

When the number of unconfirmed notifications exceeds the referencenumber, the electronic device proceeds to an operation 307 and outputsthe notification events after the second reference time. For example, asshown in FIG. 8C, when a notification event for “missed calls” is a10^(th) unconfirmed notification event, the electronic device recognizesthat the unconfirmed notification events occur more than the referencenumber while the timer is driven. Accordingly, the electronic devicestops outputting of a notification (operation 853). At this time, asshown in FIG. 8A, when “kind of notification” 815 is set as“mute+maintaining screen turning off” in the setting of the “combinednotification mode” 801, the electronic device can change both sound andscreen to be in OFF states.

Additionally, when the number of unconfirmed notifications does notexceed the reference number, the electronic device can outputnotifications in consideration of notification settings. For example, asshown in FIG. 8B, when the number of unconfirmed notifications includingnotification events for “missed calls” is smaller than 5, the electronicdevice provides “sound” 835 according to the notification setting forthe “missed calls”. Also, the electronic device can display anotification message for the “missed calls” on the display unit 152(operation 831). Furthermore, the electronic device can display thenumber of missed calls on a phone icon for a notification for “missedcalls” (operation 833). Thereafter, the electronic device ends thepresent algorithm.

As described above, a procedure for controlling a notification in anelectronic device can be, as shown in FIG. 3B, configured as a devicefor controlling a notification in the electronic device.

FIG. 3B illustrates a configuration of an electronic device foroutputting notifications after the second reference time fornotification events whose number is a reference number or more occurredwithin the first reference time according to certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3B, the electronic device caninclude a first means 311 for detecting notification events, a secondmeans 313 for confirmiing whether notification events exist within thefirst time, a third means 315 for confirming whether the number ofunconfirmed notifications including the notification events exceeds thereference number, and a fourth means 317 for outputting the notificationevents after the second reference time.

The first means 311 detects the notification events. For example, theelectronic device confirms that the notification events occur in orderto output at least one of sounds, vibrations, turning the screen on, andturning a light on in at least one application program.

The second means 313 confirms whether the notification events existwithin the first reference time. At this time, in case where the timeris not driven, the electronic device drives the timer in considerationof at least one of preset time by a system and preset time by a user.For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when “time confirmation range” 811 isset to be “within 15 min.” in setting of “combined notification mode”801, the electronic device sets timer driving time to 15 min. At thistime, the electronic device initializes the number of unconfirmednotifications to “0”. When the timer is being driven, the electronicdevice can update the number of unconfirmed notifications by adding “1”.

The third means 315 confirms whether the number of unconfirmednotifications including notification events exceeds the referencenumber. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when “the number ofreceptions” 813 is set to “more than 5 cases” in the setting of the“combined notification mode” 801, the electronic device confirms, asshown in FIG. 8B, whether the number of unconfirmed notificationsincluding notification events for “missed calls” is 5 or more.

The fourth means 317 outputs notification events after the secondreference time. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, when a notificationevent for “missed calls” is a 10^(th) unconfirmed notification event,the electronic device recognizes that the unconfirmed notificationevents occur more than the reference number while the timer is driven.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8C, the electronic device stops outputtingof a notification (operation 853). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A,when “kind of notification” 815 is set as “mute+maintaining screenturning off” in the setting of the “combined notification mode” 801, theelectronic device can change both sound and screen to be in OFF states.

Additionally, when the number of unconfirmed notifications does notexceed the reference number, the electronic device can outputnotifications in consideration of the notification settings. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the number of unconfirmednotifications including notification events for “missed calls” issmaller than 5, the electronic device provides “sound” 835 according tothe notification setting for the “missed calls”. Also, the electronicdevice can display a notification message for the “missed calls” on thedisplay unit 152 (operation 831). Furthermore, the electronic device candisplay the number of missed calls on a phone icon for a notificationfor “missed calls” (operation 833).

As described above, the electronic device can include each means forcontrolling a notification. At this time, each means for controlling thenotification can be integrated into one means in the electronic device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a setting procedure for outputting notificationsafter the second reference time for notification, events whose number isat or above a reference number, which occurred within the firstreference time in an electronic device according to certain embodimentsof the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic deviceconfirms whether a setting event occurs for a combined notification modein operation 401. When the setting event for the combined notificationmode does not occur, the electronic device ends the algorithm.

Furthermore, when the setting event for the combined notification modeoccurs, the electronic device proceeds to an operation 403 and displaysa setting screen for the combined notification mode. For example, theelectronic device, as shown in FIG. 8A, displays on the display unit 152a setting screen for the “combined notification mode” 801 including“time confirmation range” 811, “the number of receptions” 813, “kind ofnotification” 815, “notification time” 817, and “kind of finalnotification” 819.

After displaying the combined notification mode setting screen, theelectronic device confirms a storing event for the combined notificationmode setting. When the storing event for the combined notification modesetting does not occur, the electronic device proceeds to an operation403 and continuously displays the setting screen for the combinednotification mode.

Furthermore, when the storing event for the combined notification modesetting occurs, the electronic device proceeds to an operation 407 andstores the setting for the combined notification mode. For example, asshown in FIG. 8A, when notification events occur “more than 5 cases”“within 15 min.”, the electronic device sets notification outputs fornotification events to occur thereafter as “mute+maintaining screenturning off”, and stores setting of a notification output as “vibration”“after one hour”. Then, the electronic device ends the presentalgorithm.

FIG. 5 illustrates a procedure for stopping outputting of notificationevents, when the notification events whose number is a reference numberor more occur within the first reference time in an electronic deviceaccording to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 5, the electronic device confirms whether notification events occurin operation 501. For example, the electronic device confirms whethernotification events occur in order to output at least one of sounds,vibrations, turning the screen on and turning on a light in at least oneapplication program.

When the notification events occur, the electronic device proceeds to anoperation 502 and confirms a timer is driven. When the timer is notdriven, the electronic device proceeds to an operation 505 and drivesthe timer. At this time, the electronic device drives the timer inconsideration of at least one of a time preset by a system and a timepreset by a user. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when “timeconfirmation range” 811 is set to be “within 15 min.”, the electronicdevice sets the timer driving time to 15 min. At this time, theelectronic device initializes the number of unconfirmed notifications to“0”. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8B, the timer driving start time isdetermined in consideration of a time 837 when the notification eventsoccur.

After driving the timer, the electronic device proceeds to an operation507 and updates the number of unconfirmed notifications. For example, asshown in FIG. 8B, when a notification event for “missed calls” occurs,the electronic device updates the initialized number of unconfirmednotifications to “1”.

Furthermore, when the timer is driven in operation 503, the electronicdevice proceeds to operation 507 and updates the number of unconfirmednotifications. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, when a notificationevent for the “missed calls” occurs, the electronic device updates thenumber of unconfirmed notifications by adding “1” thereto.

After updating the number of the unconfirmed notifications in operation507, the electronic device proceeds to operation 509 to confirm whetherthe number of unconfirmed notifications is the reference number or more.For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when “the number of receptions” 813 insetting of “combined notification mode” 801 is “more than 5 cases”, theelectronic device, as shown in FIG. 8B, confirms whether the number ofunconfirmed notifications including notification events is 5 or more.

When the number of unconfirmed notifications is smaller than thereference number in operation 509, the electronic device proceeds tooperation 511 and outputs a notification in consideration of thenotification setting. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the numberof unconfirmed notifications including the notification event “missedcalls” is smaller than 5, the electronic device provides “sound” 835according to the notification setting. Also, the electronic device candisplay the number of missed calls on a phone icon for notification for“missed calls” (operation 833). Thereafter, the electronic deviceproceeds to operation 501 and detects notification events.

Furthermore, when the number of unconfirmed notifications is thereference number or more, the electronic device proceeds to operation513 and stops outputting of a notification. For example, as shown inFIG. 8B, when a notification event for “missed calls” is a 10thunconfirmed notification event, the electronic device recognizes thatthe unconfirmed notification events whose number is at or above areference number occurs while the timer is driving. Accordingly, theelectronic device, as shown in FIG. 8C stops outputting of notification(operation 853). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A, when “kind ofnotification” 815 in setting of “combined notification mode” 801 is setto “mute+maintaining screen turning off”, the electronic device canchange both sound and screen to in OFF states. Thereafter, theelectronic device ends the present algorithm.

In the above described embodiment, when notification events whose numberis a reference number or more occur in a reference time, the electronicdevice stops outputting of notifications. In another embodiment, theelectronic device outputs notifications after a reference time fornotification events that occur after the stopping of outputting ofnotification.

FIG. 6 illustrates a procedure for outputting notifications after thesecond reference time for notification events whose number is areference number or more occurred within a first reference time in anelectronic device according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device confirms whetherthe output of the notification is stopped in operation 601. For example,as shown in FIG. 8A, when a notification event occurs, which meets acondition that “time confirmation range” 811 in setting of “combinednotification mode” 801 is set to “within 15 min.”, and “the number ofreception times” 813 is “more than 5 cases”, the electronic devicerecognizes that the notification output is stopped.

When the notification output is stopped, the electronic device proceedsto operation 603 and drives the timer. Here, the timer is used forconfirming whether it is time to output a combined notification fornotification events that occur after the electronic device stopsoutputting of a notification. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when“notification time” 817 in the setting of “combined notification mode”801 is set to “after one hour”, the electronic device sets the timerdriving time to one hour.

After the timer is driven, the electronic device proceeds to operation605 and confirms whether notification events occur. For example, theelectronic device confirms that notification events for outputting atleast one of sounds, vibrations, turning the screen on and turning alight on occur in at least one application program.

When notification events occur in operation 605, the electronic deviceproceeds to operation 607 and confirms whether it is time to output acombined notification output. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when“notification time” 817 in the setting of “combined notification mode”801 is set to “after one hour”, the electronic device confirms whetherdriving time of the timer driven in operation 603 is after one hour.

When it is not yet time to output the combined notification in operation607, the electronic device proceeds to operation 611 and neglects thenotification output. For example, as shown in FIG. 8C, the electronicdevice neglects a notification output for notification events that occurin the time range “11:20 to 12:19” 837 in consideration of driving timeof the timer. At this time, the electronic device, as shown in FIG. 8A,can maintain the “mute+screen turning off” state in consideration of“kind of notification” 815.

Furthermore, when it is time to output the combined notification inoperation 607, the electronic device proceeds to operation 609 andoutputs the combined notification in consideration of the combinednotification setting. For example, as shown in FIG. 8D, when anotification event occurs at “12:20”, which is after the timer drivingtime “11:20 to 12:19” 837, the electronic device outputs notification by“vibration” in consideration of the “kind of final notification” 819 ofFIG. 8A. At this time, the electronic device can output notifications atonce for notification events occurred in the time range “11:20 to 12:19”and having notification outputs thereof neglected. Thereafter, theelectronic device ends the present algorithm.

FIG. 7 illustrates a procedure for outputting a notification event inconsideration of notification events that occur after the secondreference time, when notification events whose number is a referencenumber or more occur within a first reference time in an electronicdevice according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 7, the electronic device confirms whether thenotification output is stopped in operation 701. For example, as shownin FIG. 8A, when a notification event occurs, which meets a conditionthat “time confirmation range” 811 in setting of “combined notificationmode” 801 is set to “within 15 min.”, and “the number of receptiontimes” 813 is “more than 5 cases”, the electronic device recognizes thatthe notification output is stopped.

When the notification output is stopped, the electronic device proceedsto operation 703 and drives the timer. Here, the timer is used forconfirming time taken until a notification event occurs after anotification output is stopped in the electronic device.

After the timer is driven, the electronic device proceeds to operation705 and confirms whether a notification event occurs. For example, theelectronic device confirms whether a notification event including atleast one of sounds, vibrations, turning the screen on and turning alight on occurs in at least one application program.

When a notification event occurs in operation 705, the electronic deviceproceeds to operation 707 and confirms whether an occurrence time pointof the notification event is equal to or later than a reference timepoint. Here, the reference time point indicates a time point to outputnotifications for notification events that occur after the notificationoutput is stopped in the electronic device. At this time, the referencetime point can be preset by a system or a user. Also, the reference timepoint is assumed to be 5 min. in the present embodiment.

When an occurrence time of a notification event is earlier than thereference time point in operation 707, the electronic device proceeds tooperation 703 and drives the timer. For example, when a notificationevent occurs after 4 min. from the stopping of the notification, whichis earlier than the reference time point of 5 min., the electronicdevice recognizes that a condition for outputting a notification is notmet. Accordingly, the electronic device proceeds to operation 703 anddrives again the timer.

When the occurrence time of the notification event is equal to or laterthan the reference time point in operation 707, the electronic deviceproceeds to operation 709 and outputs a notification in consideration ofthe notification setting. For example, when a notification event occursafter 6 min. from the stop of the notification output, which is laterthan the reference time point of 5 min., the electronic devicerecognizes that a condition for outputting notification is met.Accordingly, the electronic device outputs a notification including atleast one of sounds, vibrations, turning the screen on, and turning alight on. Thereafter, the electronic device ends the present algorithm.

As described above, the electronic device according to the presentdisclosure can reduce power consumption and a noise by outputtingnotifications after a second reference time for notification eventswhose number is a reference number or more occurred within a firstreference time.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changesin form and details may be made from the disclosure without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the appendedclaims. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by thedetailed description of the disclosure but by the appended claims, andall differences within the scope will be construed as being included inthe present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method implemented using an electronic device,the method comprising: detecting notification events; determiningwhether the notification events exist within a first reference timeinterval using a timer by: determining whether the timer is driven, andwhen the timer is not driven, driving the timer; initializing the numberof the unconfirmed notifications in response to driving the timer; whenthe notification events exist within the first reference time interval,determining whether a number of unconfirmed notifications including thenotification events exceeds a reference number; and when the number ofunconfirmed notifications exceeds the reference number, outputting thenotification events that correspond to the unconfirmed notificationsafter a second reference time interval and stopping an output ofnotification events detected before the second reference time interval.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification events comprise atleast one of a sound, a vibration, turning on a screen, and turning on alight in at least one application program.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising outputting the notification events when the number ofthe unconfirmed notifications does not exceed the reference number. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising setting information to controla notification.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising displayinga setting screen to set at least one of a combined notification mode, atime confirmation range, a number of receptions, a kind of notification,a notification time, or a kind of final notification.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising storing user setting selections.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises at least oneof a mobile communication terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA),a laptop, a smart phone, a net book, a television, a mobile internetdevice (MID), an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), a tablet PC, a navigator, or anMP3 player.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein when the timer is beingdriven, the electronic device can update the number of unconfirmednotifications by adding “1”.
 9. An electronic device comprising: atleast one processor; at least one memory; and at least one programstored in the at least one memory and configured to be executed by theat least one processor, wherein the at least one processor, uponexecuting the at least one program, is configured to: detectnotification events, determine whether the notification events existwithin a first reference time interval using a timer by: determiningwhether the timer is driven, and when the timer is not driven, drivingthe timer, initialize the number of the unconfirmed notifications inresponse to driving the timer, when the notification events exist withinthe first reference time interval, determine whether a number ofunconfirmed notifications including the notification events exceeds areference number, and output the notification events that correspond tothe unconfirmed notifications after a second reference time interval andstop an output of notification events detected before the secondreference time interval when the number of unconfirmed notificationsexceeds the reference number.
 10. The electronic device of claim 9,wherein the notification events comprise at least one of a sound, avibration, turning on a screen, and turning on a light in at least oneapplication program.
 11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein theprocessor is further configured to output the notification events whenthe number of the unconfirmed notifications does not exceed thereference number.
 12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein theprocessor is further configured to set information to control anotification.
 13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein theprocessor is further configured to display a setting screen to set atleast one of a combined notification mode, a time confirmation range, anumber of receptions, a kind of notification, a notification time, or akind of final notification.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13,wherein the processor is further configured to store user settingselections.
 15. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the electronicdevice comprises at least one of a mobile communication terminal, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop, a smart phone, a net book, atelevision, a mobile internet device (MID), an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), atablet PC, a navigator, or an MP3 player.
 16. The electronic device ofclaim 9, wherein when the timer is being driven, the electronic devicecan update the number of unconfirmed notifications by adding “1”.